Carolina Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander has been suspended one year for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, the team announced Tuesday.
Alexander, 25, was placed on injured reserve in August after suffering a torn Achilles. The former fourth-round pick was limited to only one game last season because of multiple substance-abuse violations. He was banned for the season's first four games and then tacked on another 10-game suspension before the initial punishment ended.
Alexander has openly spoken about his problems with marijuana. In an interview with Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer in May, he admitted the most recent suspension was due to his fourth positive test for marijuana use.